Tag: vegan beauty

I Tried 8 Vegan Mascaras So You Don’t Have To | Vegan Mascara Mini Reviews

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Since going vegan in the summer of 2016, I’ve been on the hunt for my new Holy Grail mascara. While it’s been quite easy to find a vegan substitute for the majority of my makeup products, finding a vegan mascara has been a bit more challenging. Today I am going to share mini reviews of the eight different mascaras I’ve tried in the past couple of years. These mascaras range widely in both price and quality, and I will share my thoughts on them in the chronological order in which I tested them. Let’s go on a journey through all of the vegan mascaras I’ve tried!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume Mascara – $2.99 [BUY]

The first vegan mascara I tried is the Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume. I decided to start out with a very affordable option, as I always hope to find a product that is extremely budget friendly. I posted a full review of this mascara on my blog HERE. Overall, I thought this mascara was okay, but it didn’t provide me with too much volume or length. If you are looking for a natural-looking mascara that will give you just a little definition, the MegaVolume is a good option.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Volumizing & Defining Mascara – $2.90 [BUY]

I then decided to try another drugstore brand to see how that mascara would compare. I bought the e.l.f. Cosmetics Volumizing & Defining Mascara because I really enjoy this type of plastic wand as opposed to natural bristle wands. Unfortunately, this mascara was a huge disappointment! As I outlined in THIS blog post, the formula was extremely thick and heavy. Worst of all, it gave me the dreaded uni-lash, meaning all of my lashes stuck together in one clump. This was strike one for e.l.f., a brand I usually love!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara – $23.00 [BUY]

After two frustrating rounds with drugstore mascaras, I tried my hand at a high end option from Tarte. I am happy to report that I really enjoyed the Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara. It provided me with longer and fuller lashes, and was definitely the best option I tried thus far. However, I prefer a drier mascara formula, and this one is a bit on the wet side. That being said, I do recommend this mascara, and I can see myself going back to it at some point in the future. I don’t like spending a lot on high end mascaras, but this one is worth it if you like a wetter formula.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara – $23.00 [BUY]

I next decided to try a cult favorite mascara in the beauty community – the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. Unfortunately, this mascara did not work out for me at all! I found the formula to be extremely heavy, and it made a huge mess every time I tried to apply it. I think the natural bristle brush combined with the wet formula was just a big no for my lashes. Despite so many people loving this mascara, I would not recommend it! It was back to drugstore formulas (and prices!) at this point.

e.l.f. Cosmetics 3-in-1 Mascara – $3.00 [BUY]

I decided to give e.l.f. a second chance, and purchased the 3-in-1 Mascara. Again, I went with a plastic mascara wand, and chose a formula advertised to define, lengthen, and volumize. This time, it wasn’t the mascara formula that went wrong – it was the packaging! The opening of the mascara was so narrow that the brush could barely fit through it. That meant that almost zero product made it onto the wand and onto my lashes. I consistently felt like I was putting absolutely nothing on my lashes with this mascara. I do want to mention that this product has since been reformulated, but I have no desire to try it again. We’ll call this strike two for e.l.f.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Volume Plumping Mascara – $3.00 [BUY]

I gave e.l.f. its third and final chance with the Volume Pluming Mascara. I grabbed this at Target, hoping that the promised “New Formula” would be good. Well, this was strike three for e.l.f. mascaras for me. Once again, the formula did almost nothing for my lashes. Remember how I said the Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume looked very natural? This Volume Plumping Mascara did even less than that. I’ve now come to the conclusion that e.l.f. mascaras are not for me. I absolutely love e.l.f. Cosmetics as a brand, but I do not plan on ever trying another mascara from the company.

Wet ‘n Wild MegaLength Mascara – $2.99 [BUY]

At this point in the game, I did some thinking. I wanted to stick with a drugstore mascara to save money, but I also needed to stay away from e.l.f. I decided to go back to Wet ‘n Wild and try a different mascara formula. This time I got the MegaLength, and I was pleasantly surprised! This is by far the best vegan mascara I’ve tested, and it’s only $2.99 regular price! I like this mascara because it does a great job at lengthening my lashes. It doesn’t provide much volume, but I would rather have long lashes than clumpy ones. While still not a Holy Grail product for me, this is a mascara I’ve repurchased a few times already.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Gifted Mascara – $23.00 [BUY]

Last but not least, I got a mini size of the Tarte Gifted Mascara as a point perk  from Sephora. I really liked this mascara, too. It can be a bit messy, but I like how my lashes looked really full and long after application. That being said, I wouldn’t buy this mascara at the full price. If it went on sale, I would consider getting this again, and I do recommend it if you’re looking for a weightless yet effective mascara.

Final Thoughts: I’ve learned a few important things during these past 18 months of testing vegan mascaras. First, e.l.f. Cosmetics mascaras are to be avoided (at least, for me). Second, spending a lot of money on a mascara isn’t worth it for me. I like to change out my mascaras every three to four months, so keeping the cost down is important. In the same way, more money doesn’t necessarily mean a better formula. In the end, I’m going to continue testing out vegan drugstore mascaras to see if I can find my new Holy Grail. Until then, I highly recommend the Wet ‘n Wild MegaLength!

What’s your favorite vegan mascara? Let me know in the comments!

 

All the Vegan Options During the Ulta Beauty Spring Haul Event | April 2018 Sale Event

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I am excited to share with you all of the vegan options during the Ulta Beauty Spring Haul Event. This event is taking place now through April 21, 2018. The event is split up into two weeks, with different promotions occurring each week. I apologize for not having this post up sooner, but there is still time to take advantage of all the current deals. As always, I hope this post is helpful in making your shopping experience at Ulta easier. Finding fabulous and affordable vegan beauty products is not as complicated as one may think!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

You can find complete information about the Ulta Spring Haul event on the retailer’s website HERE.

Week 1 Deals – April 8 – 14, 2018:

  • Ulta Beauty Collection Implements – $1.25-$8.00 [BUY]
  • Eyelure and Ardell False Lashes – $3.59-$8.39 [BUY]
  • Makeup Revolution Select Eyeshadow Palettes (Vegan Option: Fortune Favors the Brave Ultra 30 Eyeshadow Palette) – $9.00 [BUY]
  • Bh Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition 21 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette – $16.88 [BUY]
  • Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Line – $2.99 [BUY]
  • Pacifica Skincare Mists – $5.00-$6.00 [BUY]
  • Hempz Haircare (Vegan Options: Vanilla Plum Herbal Moisturizing & Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner, Original Herbal Shampoo for Damaged & Color Treated Hair, Herbal Dry Shampoo & Style Extender, Triple Moisture Rich Daily Herbal Replenishing Shampoo and Conditioner & Hair Mask,  Pomegranate Daily Herbal Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner, Herbal Workable Hairspray, and Pure Hemp Ultra-Hydrating Healthy Herbal Hair Mask & Deep Conditioner) – $5.00-$13.50 [BUY]

Week 2 – April 15 – 21, 2018:

  • Yes To Towelettes – $1.50-$4.25 [BUY]
  • Real Techniques Sponges and Kits – $3.59-$11.99 [BUY]
  • EcoTools Sponges and Kits – $2.99-$8.99 [BUY]
  • Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer, Highlighter, and Blush (Vegan Options: All Butter Bronzer shades are vegan. All Butter Highlighter shades are vegan except for Pink. I cannot confirm if any Butter Blush shades are vegan) – $6.59-$8.99 [BUY]
  • Models Own Eyeshadow Palettes (Vegan Options: Barely There, Rockstar, Vintage Rose, Wonderland, Supernatural, and Colour Chrome) – $7.50 [BUY]
  • Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus Foundation – $3.59 [BUY]
  • Winky Lux Glimmer Balms – $7.00-$8.00 [BUY]

*Please Note: I have done my best to provide an accurate and complete list of all the vegan products available during the sale. If I could not confirm that a product is vegan, I did not put it on this list. If you have any questions or further information, kindly leave me a comment.

Will you be purchasing any products from the Spring Haul Sale? Let me know in the comments!

Follow me on Instagram HERE for daily vegan content!

What’s on My Sephora Loves List?! | My Current Beauty Wish List (Vegan and Cruelty Free)

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! I recently saw a YouTube video from JAMBeauty89 in which she discussed the products on her Sephora Loves List. I thought this was a really fun idea, and wanted to share what is currently on my own Beauty Wish List with all of you! I love perusing the Sephora website, but it is rare that I actually make a purchase. Instead, I add products I’m interested in to my Loves List on the website so that I can easily find them again at a later date. I have ten products on my Loves List right now, some I may purchase in the future, and others that I may take off the list at some point. Let me show you the vegan and cruelty free beauty products on my wish list right now!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

You can use the widget below to view all of the products I’m mentioning today. Simply click on a product to purchase it online!


Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio in Berry Adore | $30.00 [BUY]

I’ve been on the hunt for a purple, berry-toned blush for a while now. I think this trio from Anastasia contains the perfect shade, but I’m hesitant to buy it because of the price, and because I only want one of the blushes in the trio. I might pick this up once the fall months roll around, but I’m currently still looking for a more affordable option of this purple shade.

Cover FX Power Play Foundation | $44.00 [BUY]

Cover FX just released this new line of vegan foundations, and I’m definitely curious to try it. In addition to buying vegan cosmetics, I’m also trying to be aware of supporting brands that cater to a wide variety of skin tones. I love that this line offers 40 different shades, including a variety of shades for those with deep skin tones. Of course, I love that this foundation is formulated to be matte and long-wearing, too.

Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick | $46.00 [BUY]

I was really disappointed when e.l.f. discontinued its foundation stick, and I’ve been looking for another option these past few months. This one from Hourglass has amazing reviews, but I cannot get over the price tag! I don’t think I could ever spend so much on a stick foundation, but I keep it on my list just in case it ever goes on sale.

IGK Low Key Cleansing Walnut Scalp Scrub | $36.00 [BUY]

I recently used up a deluxe sample of this scalp scrub from IGK, and I really enjoyed it. Because I have a flaky scalp, using a scrub helps to remove dry skin and excess product while providing a soothing cooling sensation. I use the IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm every time I wash my hair, so I’m a huge believer in this brand’s effectiveness. I am looking for a more affordable scalp scrub, but I do see myself grabbing this one in the future.

Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer | $49.00 [BUY]

Sephora now has a section on its website for Value Size products (shop HERE), and I saw one of my all-time favorite primers listed there from Smashbox. While $49.00 is a lot to spend at once, this jumbo size is a great value, and it’s also better for the environment to buy larger sizes and use less plastic. I currently have a few primers in my beauty stash, but I will probably purchase this one during a Sephora coupon event to get even more savings.

Smashbox Super Fan Mascara | $19.00 [BUY]

I typically do not buy high end mascaras, but Smashbox just released the Super Fan Mascara, and it looks amazing! I really like rubber mascara wands, and this mascara is designed to give long lashes without any clumps. I’m hoping Sephora will offer a mini size as a Point Perk sometime soon, because I would really like to try this mascara without spending nearly $20.00!

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask | $48.00 [BUY]

This face mask is taking over Instagram, and it has definitely piqued my interest. The Jet Lag Mask is a hydrating mask, inspired by how airplane travel dries out the skin. What’s really cool about this mask is that it can be worn in a variety of ways. I’m definitely hesitant to buy this mask because of the price tag, but the hype surrounding this product is so strong that I want to keep it on my wish list!

The Ordinary High -Adherence Silicone Primer | $4.90 [BUY]

I’m very curious to try out some products from the ultra-affordable brand The Ordinary. I’m not sure where to start with a lot of the skincare products, but this primer sounds amazing to me. Whenever Sephora restocks The Ordinary, the products seem to sell out instantly. That leads me to believe it is worth the hype! Plus, who can resist trying a mattifying and blurring primer that is under $5.00?

Too Faced Peach Perfect Comfort Matte Foundation | $36.00 [BUY]

I had no intention of picking up anything from the Too Faced Peaches and Cream Collection, but I keep hearing glowing reviews of this foundation from YouTubers I trust (namely Kelly Gooch and Love Heatherette). This foundation is supposed to provide medium coverage that stays matte all day. While it is on the expensive side, you do get 1.6 fl. oz. of product, as opposed to the standard 1 fl. oz. that comes with most foundations. I hope to pick this up once I’ve used the other foundations in my collection!

Verb Hydrating Mask | $16.00 [BUY]

My hair is very dry, and I want to start using more hydrating products on it. This mask sounds great, as it is formulated to be weightless and suitable for all hair types. I haven’t heard anyone talk about this product yet, but the price seems very fair, so I might pick it up soon.

That wraps up all of the current products on my Sephora Loves List! I would love to hear from you in the comments – have you tried these products? Do you recommend them? Please let me know! I think sharing our wish lists is not only a lot of fun, but it can be very helpful as well. If you would like to know what is on my Ulta Favorites list, let me know in a comment! I would be happy to share those products as well.

What is on your Sephora Loves List? Let me know in the comments!

Shop this blog post with ShopStyle! Click the photo below to see all of the products.

All the Vegan Options During the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Sale | Spring 2018

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! This year I’ve been doing a lot more of my makeup and beauty shopping at Ulta. I love that I can shop from drugstore, high end, and indie beauty brands all in one place. Plus, Ulta has amazing sales going on all the time. One of the store’s biggest events is the 21 Days of Beauty Sale, which is taking place this spring from March 18, 2018 through April 7, 2018. I thought it would be helpful to put together a list of all the vegan options available during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty so you can easily plan ahead and fill those shopping carts!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Please note that I referenced THIS blog post from BeautyBudgetCollection while creating this list. Thank you to Ashley for the helpful information!

New to the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Sale? Here’s how it works! Each day during the sale there are a few products on a big discount. These sales only last for one day, so make sure to plan your shopping accordingly! At the end of this post will be the Hot Buys, which are available for the entire duration of the sale while supplies last.

March 18 | Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara – $10.00 [BUY]

March 19 | No Vegan Options

March 20 | Pür Cosmetics 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 15 – $14.75 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer – $35.00 [BUY]

March 21 | Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water – $16.00 [BUY]

March 22 | No Vegan Options

March 23 | Urban Decay Eyeshadow Singles (Vegan Shades: Bender, Blackout, Buck, Bust, Chase, Darkhorse, Deep End, Desperation, Easy Baked, Faint, Foxy, Haight, Half Baked, Hijack, Kush, Laced, Loaded, Lost, Maui Wowie, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, Mildew, Mushroom, Naked, Peace, Roach, Smog, Tease, Twice Baked, Uncut, Virgin, Zephyr) – $10.00 [BUY]

March 24 | No Vegan Options

March 25 | It Brushes for Ulta Airbrush Smoothing Foundation Brush #102 – $11.00 [BUY]

March 26 | BECCA Backlight Priming Filter – $19.00 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: First Aid Beauty Love Your FAB Skin – $22.00 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: DERMAdoctor Kakadu C Peel Pad – $39.00 [BUY]

March 27 | Online Only Deal: St. Tropez In-Shower Gradual Tanning Lotion – $12.50 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: Kopari Coconut Melt – $14.00 [BUY]

March 28 | Tarte Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner – $12.00 [BUY] 

Online Only Deal: Skin Laundry Select Cleansers – $10.00 [BUY]

March 29 | No Vegan Options

March 30 | Online Only Deal: Lime Crime Hi-Lite Palettes – $19.00 [BUY]

March 31 | Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz – $10.50 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: OFRA Banana Powder – $6.00-$9.50 [BUY]

April 1 | No Vegan Options

April 2 | Butter London Glazen Eye Gloss – $12.00 [BUY]

April 3 | No Vegan Options

April 4 | No Vegan Options

April 5 | Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (Vegan Varieties: Anti-Aging, Fix) – $10.00-$12.00 [BUY]

Juice Beauty STEM CELLULAR Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum – $40.00 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: Skyn Iceland Icelandic Relief Eye Cream – $22.50 [BUY]

April 6 | Tarte Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint (Vegan Shades: Adorbs, Bae, FOMO, Frenemy, Hangry,  Lovespell, Manbun, Namaste, Selfish, So Fetch, TBT, Twerk, Yaassss) – $10.00 [BUY]

Tarte Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint – $10.00 [BUY]

Tarte Tarteist Lip Crayon – $10.00 [BUY]

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant – $28.50 [BUY]

April 7 | Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara – $11.50 [BUY]

HOT BUYS (As mentioned, these deals last for the duration of the event, or while supplies last)

DERMAdoctor Kakadu C High Potency Evening Oil – $44.40 [BUY]

Tarte Ready, Set, Radiant Skin Mist – $15.00 [BUY]

Pür Cosmetics Miracle Mist Hydrating Spray – $10.00 [BUY]

Cover FX Anti-Aging Primer – $22.00 [BUY]

The Better Skin Co. Better Skin Lava Magik – $19.20 [BUY]

Organic to Green Great Barrier Chap Guard – $10.80 [BUY]

Special Sale from Tarte: Buy any Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Foundation at $39.00 [BUY], and Get the Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer for $15.00 [BUY]. Only the Matte foundation (not the Hydrating foundation) is vegan. The concealer line is all vegan.

Special Sale on Minis: Buy 3, Get 1 Free [MORE INFO]. 

Vegan Mini Products are:

  • Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Pore Minimizing [BUY]
  • Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer [BUY]
  • Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water [BUY]
  • Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 [BUY]
  • Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray [BUY]
  • Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara [BUY]
  • Tarte Brazilliance PLUS+ Self-Tanner [BUY]

*Please Note: I have done my best to provide an accurate and complete list of all the vegan products available during the sale. If I could not confirm that a product is vegan, I did not put it on this list. If you have any questions or further information, kindly leave me a comment. Make sure to visit the Ulta website HERE for complete sale information closer to the event’s start.

Will you be picking up any products from the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty?

Let me know in the comments!

 

 

5 Beauty Brands I Wish Would Go Vegan!

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I thought it would be fun to share with you my top five beauty brands that I wish would go vegan. Of course, in a perfect world, all brands would stop testing on animals and using animal ingredients and byproducts. That being said, there are a handful of brands that I really miss using now that I’m vegan. While I can almost always find vegan replacements for products I used to enjoy, there are a few things that I would love to be able to repurchase with a vegan formula. Here are the five beauty brands that I wish would go vegan!

1. Sally Hansen

Adventures in Polishland began purely as a nail polish blog, and my favorite brand was always Sally Hansen. Not only does Sally Hansen have extremely budget friendly options, but the quality of the polishes is excellent as well. From the ultra-affordable Xtreme Wear line, to the stunning Miracle Gel formulas, I could always find a polish I loved from this drugstore brand. I would love to see Sally Hansen go vegan, as it can be difficult to find affordable vegan nail polishes at the drugstore.

2. CoverGirl 

Another drugstore brand I miss using is CoverGirl. My favorite product was the TruBlend Liquid Makeup foundation. I went through several bottles of this product, and it was my go to foundation. I also really liked the Clump Crusher mascara. While I have been able to find a drugstore foundation from Wet ‘n Wild that I like, it still doesn’t compare to my old faithful TruBlend. Plus, it would be great if this classic makeup brand would take a stance against animal cruelty, and provide customers with affordable and vegan products.

3. Benefit

The one high end brand on this list is Benefit. I liked testing and trying a lot of Benefit’s products, but the ones I miss the most are the blushes. My go to shade for years was Hervana, and I even had a Benefit blush palette that I used all the time. I currently love the blushes I use from Tarte, but the vegan shades I own are all limited edition. I would love for Benefit to stop testing on animals and begin creating product formulas that do not contain any animal derived ingredients.

4. L’Oreal

When it comes to hair care, I really miss the L’Oreal shampoos, conditioners, and styling products I used to use. Not only are L’Oreal hair products really affordable, but they were also very effective in caring for my hair. Since going vegan, I’ve struggled to find products that work as well at the same price point. I don’t mind spending more if it means getting a vegan product, but it would be awesome if L’Oreal would commit to going vegan. I also need to mention that the L’Oreal mascaras were some of my absolute favorites. Wouldn’t it be awesome if I could buy the Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara again?!

5. Rimmel

Last but not least is Rimmel, another budget friendly brand from the drugstore. The main reason I miss Rimmel is because the brand makes my Holy Grail setting powder in the Stay Matte Pressed Powder. I went through several of these powders, and am having a hard time finding a vegan dupe. Of course, I also loved the Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation and the Keep Calm Lip Balms. I hope that Rimmel will take a stance against animal cruelty, and go vegan very soon!

Some Final Thoughts

It’s important to note that many of the brands I mentioned today either claim to be cruelty free, or write misleading animal testing policies on their websites. I highly recommend checking out sources like Ethical Elephant, Logical Harmony, and Cruelty Free Kitty if you are ever unsure about a brand’s cruelty free or vegan status. Please click HERE to learn more about why Benefit, L’Oreal, and Rimmel are not cruelty free.

Moreover, while I do miss using some non-vegan products, particularly the ones mentioned today, going cruelty free and vegan is overall quite easy and always worth the extra effort. There are so many brands that are either 100% vegan, or offer a lot of vegan products. I can still go to the drugstore or Target and pick up many of the products I need, or I can place an online order with Ulta, Vitacost, or Sephora if I have trouble finding things in the store. I highly encourage you to transition to a cruelty free and vegan lifestyle, and I think you will find it is much easier than you expect!

Follow me on Instagram HERE for daily vegan beauty and lifestyle tips!

If All My Makeup Disappeared | Rebuilding a Vegan and Cruelty Free Makeup Collection for $100

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! I recently saw a YouTube video from Jacks Lorraine where she built a makeup collection from scratch for $100. I really liked this idea, and wanted to share which products I would pick if all of my makeup disappeared, too. Some of the products I’m mentioning today are ones I’ve already tried and loved, and others are brand new to me. The idea is that if I only had $100 to spend, I could go out and purchase everything I needed to create the makeup looks I like. Of course, all of the products I am choosing are vegan. I hope this goes to show that being vegan can actually be extremely affordable!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

You can use the widget below to view all of the products I’m mentioning today. Simply click on a product to purchase it online!

Primer | Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus Matte Face Primer | $4.99 [BUY]

While I haven’t yet tried this primer, I have a feeling it is very similar to the one I am currently enjoying from Milani, but at a smaller price point. I have large pores in my T-zone, and my skin gets oily throughout the day. I think this matte primer will tackle both of those concerns well!

Foundation | Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus Foundation | $5.99 [BUY]

I currently use this foundation from Wet ‘n Wild, and really enjoy it. I find this is a medium and buildable coverage, and I believe it will work well any time of year. I do find that it can enhance dry skin, but it should work well when paired with the primer I chose.

Concealer | Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus Concealer | $3.99 [BUY]

I decided to complete my face base routine with the Wet ‘n Wild Concealer. I currently use this concealer, and I really enjoy the formula. The lightest shade matches my skin tone exactly, so while I can’t use this for highlighting, I want this in my makeup collection for covering blemishes. I also use this alone on days where I don’t want to use foundation, but have some redness to cover.

Brows | Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo | $23.00 [BUY]

My one high end product in this list is my Holy Grail eyebrow product – the Brow Powder Duo from Anastasia. This is the only product I’ve used for my brows since I purchased it over a year ago. I find it is very natural looking, and does a great job at filling in my sparse but wide brows. While expensive, this product lasts forever! I’ve used the same one for nearly a year and a half now, and it still works beautifully with a lot of product remaining.

Brow Gel | e.l.f. Cosmetics Clear Brow and Lash Mascara | $2.00 [BUY]

The other half of my beloved eyebrow routine is the ultra-affordable brow gel from e.l.f. I use this clear mascara to set my powder in place, and it does a great job. I use each side of this product for about three months, which means this $2.00 eyebrow gel lasts me half a year!

Eyeshadow | ColourPop Double Entendre Pressed Powder Shadow Palette | $16.00 [BUY]

Believe it or not, but I have not tried any products from the cult favorite brand ColourPop! Now that it is  available at Ulta, that will probably change very soon. That being said, I would be very excited to add the Double Entendre Palette to my stash. This neutral eyeshadow palette contains twelve shades – cool tones, warm tones, mattes, metallics, and a satin, too! While I don’t wear eyeshadow all that often, this will be perfect for the days I wish to do so. Plus, I can easily use my concealer as an eyeshadow primer and save myself a few dollars.

Mascara | Wet ‘n Wild MegaLength Mascara | $2.99 [BUY]

I’ve tried seven different mascaras since I’ve gone vegan, and the best by far is the MegaLength from Wet ‘n Wild. This mascara lives up to its name, and makes my lashes very long. I find that I get fuller-looking lashes without any clumps. Even though this doesn’t add too much volume, it is my go-to mascara and I would absolutely buy it again (and again!).

Blush | e.l.f. Powder Blush Palette in Light | $6.00 [BUY]

I owned this blush palette a few years ago, and absolutely loved it. I ended up decluttering it because it was very old, but I would definitely recommend this product. The blushes from e.l.f. are extremely pigmented, and they blend really well. Plus, having a blush palette means I can wear a variety of shades, and also get a custom shade by mixing them.

Highlighter | bh Cosmetics Nude Rose Highlighter Palette | $11.99 [BUY]

I decided to go the same route with highlighters, and chose this palette from bh Cosmetics. I’ve never tried highlighters from this brand before, but the shades look absolutely gorgeous! The palette also has good reviews online, so I think this would make a great addition to my makeup stash. I’m especially loving the rosy pink shade!

Setting Powder | Pacifica Neutralizing Mattifer Soft Focus Translucent Powder | $12.00 [BUY]

To set my face I am grabbing a new favorite product from Pacifica. This powder applies easily and looks beautiful on the skin. I use a fluffy blush to set my face, and so far I think it does a great job at keeping my oil in check. I also love that this comes in a cardboard compact that can be recycled better than plastic.

Lips | Pacifica Color Quench Lip Tint in Guava Berry | $5.00 [BUY]

When it comes to lip color, I typically wear a tinted lip balm or some other subtle product. I used to own a Color Quench Lip Tint from Pacifica, and used it until it expired. I would love to try another shade from this line and have it be my daily color. It’s an added bonus that this lip tint moisturizes the lips, too!

Setting Spray | The Body Shop Make-Up Setting Spray | $7.00 [BUY]

Last but not least, I will lock everything in place with this setting spray from The Body Shop. I recently started testing this, and I’m really loving it! Not only does it help keep my makeup in place, but it helps to soothe the skin with aloe vera. The mister also works very well when applying the product.

What’s not included? You may notice I don’t have an eyeliner, bronzer, or contour on this list. That’s because those are products I don’t use regularly, and could easily leave out of my daily makeup routine. I’ve made sure to pick out everything I need with my budget!

THE GRAND TOTAL: $100.95

If you’ve done the math with me, you’ll know I’m technically over my budget by $0.95. I am totally fine with that, though, because some of these products can almost always be purchased on sale or with a coupon.

Here is an example of how my prices would fall today, March 10, 2018:

  • Purchase Wet ‘n Wild Mascara in-store at Target – $2.99
  • Purchase bh Cosmetics Palette in-store at Urban Outfitters – $12.00
  • Purchase The Body Shop Setting Spray in-store – $7.00
  • Purchase everything else at Ulta online – $75.47 (using $3.50 off $15.00 coupon; free shipping at $50.00)

TOTAL: $97.46

Ta da! I’m now under budget! Today’s sales are not even that great either! Nonetheless, if all my makeup disappeared, I would be happy purchasing everything on this list for under $100.

I would love to know how you would rebuild your makeup collection!
Leave me a comment sharing your picks!

 

Support other Vegan and Cruelty Free YouTubers/Bloggers Who Have Done This Tag:

  • Jacks Lorraine: LINK
  • Unnatural Vegan: LINK
  • Too Much Tash: LINK

Shop This Blog Post with ShopStyle! Click the Photo to See all the Products Mentioned.

The Best Vegan Gifts at Kat Von D Beauty | 2017 Gift Guide

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am excited to bring you a gift guide featuring the brand Kat Von D Beauty. I’ve loved every single product I’ve tried from Kat Von D, and appreciate that her beauty brand includes many vegan products. If you are looking to give a beauty gift this season, I highly recommend choosing an item from Kat Von D. Not only are her products unique and edgy, but they are extremely high quality. Let’s take a look at the best vegan gifts at Kat Von D Beauty this 2017 holiday season!

This post includes affiliate links. All images are courtesy of Kat Von D Beauty. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Please note that while I have not tried all of the products mentioned in this blog post, I do use Kat Von D Beauty products on a regular basis and am comfortable sharing gift ideas from this brand.

1. Farm Sanctuary Everlasting Liquid Lipstick – $20.00 [BUY]

The most exciting item on this list for me personally is the Farm Sanctuary line of lipsticks. Kat Von D released four new shades of its Everlasting Liquid Lipstick to benefit Farm Sanctuary, an organization committed to ending farm animal cruelty. My favorite is Julia, a peachy pink shade named for a sweet pig who was rescued from abuse at a factory farm. Not only are these lipsticks gorgeous, but 20% of the retail price goes to support Farm Sanctuary. Talk about an amazing gift that gives back!

 

 

2. Lock-It Mini Baking Duo – $23.00 [BUY]

If you have a friend who loves staying on top of beauty trends, this Baking Duo is the perfect gift! Baking is a makeup technique that became well known in the drag queen community and quickly made its way to everyday glam. This little set includes the Lock-It Concealer Cream and Lock-It Setting Powder – everything one needs to begin baking! Plus, I love that it comes in a box perfect for gifting.

 

 

3. Sinner Lipstick + Fragrance Travel Duo – $27.00 [BUY]

Kat Von D recently released the Saint and Sinner line, which includes the return of her beloved fragrances. My pick is the Sinner set, as the perfume has notes of patchouli, wood, and cinnamon. This kit also comes with a gorgeous Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in the deep purple shade, Sinner. If you are looking to try the perfume at a discounted price, this kit is the way to go!

 

 

4. Everlasting Mini Liquid Lipstick Set – $49.00 [BUY]

If you’re having trouble picking out a shade of lipstick for a friend, grab this amazing gift set featuring eight different shades of Everlasting Liquid Lipstick. The shades included are all neutrals that can be worn alone or mixed together to create even more colors. You can also break apart this gift set and give a few lipsticks to each of your friends!

 

 

 

5. Shade + Light Crème Contour Refillable Palette – $49.00 [BUY]

Kat Von D recently released a crème version of its famous Shade + Light Contour Palette. It contains three highlighter shades and three contour shades that can be mixed together to match any skin tone. I love that this palette is refillable, so you can stock up on the individual shades you use the most without having to purchase a brand new palette. This also makes an excellent gift for someone just getting into makeup, as it has everything you need to start contouring!

 

 

6. Saint + Sinner Eyeshadow Palette – $62.00 [BUY]

If you are looking to go big this holiday season, look no further than the Saint + Sinner Eyeshadow Palette! This limited edition palette contains 12 Saint shades and 12 Sinner shades that are inspired by the stained glass windows of gothic cathedrals. The palette even looks like a window! I think this is such a unique eyeshadow palette, and it will wow any recipient.

 

 

 

That wraps up my 2017 Gift Guide for Kat Von D Beauty! I hope this post helped inspire your holiday shopping, especially if you have a vegan beauty lover on your list. Kat Von D products can be purchased directly from the brand’s website or from Sephora. Make sure to use Ebates HERE when shopping to earn cash back on all of your purchases!

What is your favorite Kat Von D product? Let me know in the comments!

2017 Zoya Nail Polish 50% Off Black Friday Sale | Top 5 Vegan Gift Ideas

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! Today I am excited to share with you information for Zoya Nail Polish’s 2017 Black Friday sale. Zoya is my all-time favorite nail polish brand, and I absolutely love giving Zoya polishes and lipsticks during the holidays. This year Zoya has a fun sale promotion for what the brand is calling Black Friyay. This blog post will give you all of the details for the sale, as well as share my top vegan gift ideas from the brand this year.

Images in this blog post are courtesy of Zoya.

This year’s Black Friday sale from Zoya is 50% off your entire order plus free shipping! Use the coupon code FRIYAY at checkout to get this promotion. The sale is one day only on Friday, November 24, 2017. The sale is valid for both the United States and Canada, but international shipping fees apply for Canadian customers.

Last year I shared my Top 10 Zoya nail polishes on the blog, so I recommend checking out that post HERE to see which nail polishes I love. This year I thought it would be fun to share my Top 5 gift ideas from Zoya’s website, including lipstick and gift sets.

1. Zoya Polish Quad in Under the Mistletoe – $15.00 [BUY]

Zoya has a few gift sets available on its website, and I am particularly loving the Under the Mistletoe quad of nail polishes. This kit contains Zana, Caresse, Lauren, and Jill. The pink and mauve shades make this the perfect gift for someone with a professional job, as the shades are work appropriate. Plus, with the Black Friday sale this set will be just $7.50! What a steal!

 

 

 

2. Zoya Polish Quad in All Spruced Up – $15.00 [BUY]

I’m also loving the All Spruced Up quad, which contains the dark colors of Envy, Olivera, Giada, and Lidia. If you are shopping for someone who loves more deep and dramatic shades, this is a great gift. You can give this entire set to one person, or break it up for smaller stocking stuffer gifts!

 

 

 

3. Zoya Lips & Tips Quad in Sleigh Away – $20.00 [BUY]

Zoya also offers a few gift sets that include three nail polishes and a lipstick. My favorite of the bunch is Sleigh Away, which contains Mia, Daul, and Madeline, and the Wren lipstick. I think the colors in this kit will look beautiful with any skin tone, and I love that you get a light, medium, and dark polish.

 

 

 

 

4. Zoya Perfect Lipstick in Wren – $12.00 [BUY]

I also wanted to share my top two Perfect Lipsticks with you in this gift guide. My favorite is definitely Wren, a rosy pink shade. The Perfect Lipstick line is all vegan, and each lipstick is quite creamy and hydrating. Wren does have a cream formula, and wears very nicely.

 

 

 

5. Zoya Perfect Lipstick in Frankie – $12.00 [BUY]

My other top lipstick pick is Frankie, a bright red shade with a satin cream finish. Red lipsticks are absolutely perfect for the holiday season. Grab one for you, and a few for your friends! The $6.00 price tag on Black Friday is too good to resist!

 

 

 

That wraps up my 2017 Zoya Nail Polish Gift Guide! I hope you found this post helpful as you prepare for Black Friday. I would love to hear from you in the comments – what are your favorite Zoya products?! There are so many from which to choose!

15 Vegan Gifts at Tarte Cosmetics | 2017 Gift Guide

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I am excited to share with you my 2017 Gift Guide for Tarte Cosmetics. Tarte has quickly become one of my favorite beauty brands. I absolutely love that Tarte is a cruelty free brand with many vegan options. I recently combed through the brand’s website and found fifteen gift ideas to share with all of you ranging in price from $12.00-$60.00. Whether you are looking for a small stocking stuffer or big beauty set this holiday season, there is a product on this list for you!

This post includes affiliate links. All images in this blog post are courtesy of Tarte Cosmetics. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Please note that I have not tried all of the products mentioned in this blog post. That being said, I love using many Tarte Cosmetics products on a regular basis and am comfortable sharing my picks with you!

1. Limited Edition Scrub Clean Cleansing Set – $12.00 [BUY]

This skincare set includes the Deep Dive Cleansing Gel, Travel Frxxxtion Stick 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser and a Scrublet. This set is budget-friendly and perfect for those on your list who love skincare. I absolutely love how cute the bright pink latex-free scrubber is!

 

 

2. Delightful Discoveries Skincare & Color Set – $15.00 [BUY]

This travel set includes the Brighter Days Highlighting Moisturizer, Twinkle Stick Highlighter in Spotlight, Fake Awake Eye Highlight, and a set of Pack Your Bags Undereye Patches. If you love the dewy, highlighted look, this set is for you! I love that this has a mix of skincare and makeup products that helps you hydrate and illuminate.

3. Limited Edition Sex Kitten Squad Lash & Line Set – $16.00 [BUY]

For those of you who love glam makeup, this set is perfect! It includes the Sex Kitten false lashes, Lash Adhesive in Black, and Sex Kitten Liquid Liner in Black. I love that you get everything you need for a more dramatic eye look in this one kit. Plus, it comes in a cute box that makes it ready for gifting!

 

 

4. Limited Edition Skin Win Hydrating Skincare Set – $18.00 [BUY]

This kit is perfect for a friend who loves to travel! It includes deluxe samples of the Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost Moisturizer, Maracuja Oil, Rainforest of the Sea 4-in-1 Setting Mist, and Quench Lip Rescue in Shell. I’ve been loving the Drink of H2O lately, and think this set is the perfect way to try it out!

5. Limited Edition Gym Bag Grabs Athleisure Essentials – $19.00 [BUY]

If you know someone who lives at the gym, this kit is a great gift! It includes a mix of skincare and makeup products: Lifted Sweatproof Mascara, Brighter Days Highlighting Moisturizer, Quench Lip Rescue, and Fresh Eyes Maracuja Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Wipes. Pair this kit with a cute gym bag or yoga mat!

6. Brightening Bundle Spray & Sponge Set – $19.00 [BUY]

This set is perfect for those on your list who you know love makeup, but also seem to own a lot of it already. The kit includes the Ready, Set, Radiant Skin Mist and the Quickie Blending Sponge. Both products can be enjoyed by anyone no matter the skin shade or type!

 

 

7. Limited Edition Pretty & Purrrfect Eye Set – $20.00 [BUY]

Calling cat eye lovers! This kit is made for you! It includes the Sex Kitten Eyeliner, Sex Kitten Liquid Liner, and Tartiest Lash Paint Mascara. I always have friends asking for liquid eyeliner recommendations, so I’m sure many makeup lovers would adore this gift.

 

 

 

 

8. Limited Edition No Shower Happy Hour Athleisure Essentials – $22.00 [BUY]

If you’re busy and constantly on the go, this is the kit for you! I purchased this myself a few months ago and am completely in love with it. The set includes the Clean Queen Deodorant, Hair Goals Dry Shampoo, Tarteguard 20 Tinted Moisturizer, Tartiest Glossy Lip Paint, and Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush. This kit is worth the money for the dry shampoo alone – it’s amazing!

 

 

 

9. Limited Edition Mermaid Kisses Lipstick Set – $23.00 [BUY]

It can be really difficult to pick out a lipstick shade for someone else, so kits are such a fun idea during the holidays! The Mermaid Kisses set includes four shades of 12-hour lipsticks in hydrating formulas. Plus, the packaging is absolutely adorable!

 

 

 

 

10. Limited Edition Goddess Glow Highlighter – $25.00 [BUY]

Sometimes it’s nice to give a more luxurious makeup product, and this special highlighter is a beautiful option. This is an extra large compact with a stunning Golden Champagne Highlighter. The unique packaging of this compact really makes it a statement piece. I can’t get over how gorgeous it is!

 

 

 

11.  Limited Edition Lip Luxuries Deluxe Lip Sculptor Set – $34.00 [BUY]

The next lip set on the list is a really unique and fun gift. The kit comes with five tubes that are each double sided. On one end is a satin lipstick, and on the other is a super pigmented lip gloss. Think of all the fun lip looks that can be created with just this one kit! Simply tie a bow around it and you are ready to gift.

 

 

 

12. Limited Edition Cheek Charmers Deluxe Blush Set – $35.00 [BUY]

This blush set is one of my favorite items on the list! I am so obsessed with Tarte blushes that I do not own any other brands now. I got last year’s blush set for Christmas, and I’ve loved it all year long. The shades can be worn alone or mixed together. If I didn’t already own a bunch of Tarte blushes I would be grabbing this for myself!

 

 

 

13. Limited Edition Pout Pleasure Lip Set – $42.00 [BUY]

The last lip set includes five full size Lippie Lingerie Matte Tints in a variety of new vegan shades. These are great if you like to add a little color to your lips without putting on a full lipstick. I think this would make a great gift for teenagers, or people just getting into makeup, as they are not as intimidating to apply. Of course, it can be enjoyed by anyone, and I know I would love it!

14. Limited Edition Treasured Tools Brush Set – $44.00 [BUY]

You can never go wrong by gifting a beautiful set of makeup brushes! Tarte offers a few great sets, but I personally love the art featured on the Treasured Tools kit. It also comes with a gorgeous mosaic brush holder!

 

 

 

 

15. Big Blush Book Volume III – $60.00 [BUY]

Last but not least is the Big Blush Book Volume III. If you want to give a huge makeup gift this year, look no further! This amazing palette contains seven full size Amazonian Clay 12-hour blushes. I cannot get over how stunning this palette is! Go big or go home with the Big Blush Book!

 

 

 

That wraps up my 2017 Tarte Cosmetics Gift Guide! I hope this helped you out if you are looking for vegan makeup and skincare gifts to give this season. Tarte does an amazing job at labeling its products online, and there are many other vegan options available. I’m always excited to try out new vegan goodies from this brand!

Shop Tarte Cosmetics online through Ebates HERE to earn cash back on your order!

The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash Review | Soap Free Facial Cleanser?!

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash to share with you. I’m not a brand loyalist when it comes to most skincare products, and I love trying new-to-me facial cleansers. The Body Shop is one of my favorite stores for skincare, as many of the brand’s products are vegan and suitable for sensitive skin. I was really intrigued by the Seaweed Gel Wash, as it is soap free but still designed to deep cleanse the skin. Let me share more about this product and my experience using it.

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

The Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash has an oil-free and soap-free formula that is designed to effectively remove impurities from the face. I thought this cleanser would work really well for me, as The Body Shop says it is suitable for combination/oily skin and gives a shine-free matte finish. I also like using gel cleansers with my FOREO LUNA. 

I’ve been using this cleanser for a couple months now, and I really like it! The cleanser does not have much of a scent, and if anything it just smells clean. My skin does feel really soft and clean after using this product, but I haven’t seen a big change in my skin at all. For instance, my skin still gets oily quite easily, so I don’t think the cleanser has helped to balance it. However, it is a nice and gentle cleanser that I enjoy using.

Overall, The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash is a good cleanser option if you are looking for a gentle face wash that will leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed. While I don’t think it’s a skincare game-changer, I do think it is above average, and I would consider purchasing it again in the future. This product retails for $16.50 HERE, but The Body Shop often has sales and coupons available. Make sure to shop using Ebates to earn cash back on your purchase!

What is your favorite face cleanser? Let me know in the comments!